BJP loses out in Indian elections

The Hindu fundamentalist BJP party did badly in three key state elections last weekend. The very good news is that the BJP's attempt to whip up chauvinism over Kashmir has failed to deliver votes.

Rajnath Singh, the BJP chief minister for Uttar Pradesh, submitted his resignation on Sunday when it became obvious that his party would be beaten into second place.

Uttar Pradesh is India's largest state and the electoral heartland of the BJP. In Punjab and Uttaranchal the BJP also lost control of the state governments. The national government, which is led by the BJP, still has two years to run. But these election results will increase pressure on the elements within the coalition government.